High-potential-measuring device.



1. c. ARMOR.

ms POTENTIAL mnsunme DEVICE. APPLICATION fl-LED L3, 1911- IIEIEWED .APR. 30' I915- 1,2,29,699.- Patented June 12, 1917.

wnmasstsi V I INVENTOR ATTORNEY- State of'Pennsylvania,

manner referred to, resides in the Turns 0. ABMOR, or INGRAM,

IENNSYLVAN-IA, ASSIGNOB '10 WESTINGHOUSE ELEC- TRIG AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

nron-roranrmr-mnasonma nnvrcn.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 12, 1917.

A Application filed February 3, 1911, Serial No. 606,425. Renewed April 30, 1915. Serial No. 26,078.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMEs C. ARMou, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Ingram, in the county have invented a new and useful Improvement in High-Potential- Measuring Devices, of'which the following is a speci cation.

My invention relates to means for measuring very high potentials and it has special reference to such means as are adapted to measure the maximum values of high-voltage waves.

The object of my invention is to provide a novel combination and arrangement of circuits and devices whereby accurate and reliable measurements of maximum voltages may be'obtained without subjecting the [sys-' tem or apparatus which is being tested to any, undue voltage strains or surges.

Another object of my invention is to provide adevice of the above-indicated character which shall be simple and inexpensive in construction, accurate and reliable in operation, and readily adjustable for use over a wide range of voltages.

Heretofore, it has been common practice to test the insulation strength of high-volt-' age electrical apparatus in accordance with specifications adopted by the American Institute of Electric Engineers, in which the testing voltage is specified as that which will just cause a discharge between needle points when set'a predetermined distance apart in air. The reason for prescribing the determination oftesting voltages in the fact that the stressesset up in dielectrics that are subjected to alternating current voltzages are proportional to the. maximum rat or than the mean -efi'-ective or root-mean-square values of the voltages impressed.

The objection to this method of testing resides in the fact that when the discharge occurs between the needle points, very high potential surges are produced by reason of the oscillatory character of the discharge, and thus both the apparatus 7 the source of energy are subjected toabnormal and injurious potentials. Furthermore, the voltages determined by a predetermined s ark gap in air are not found to be consistentl uniform, but vary considerably under di erent conditions of test and atmospheric conditions of Allegheny and.

to be tested and Another mode employed in the past for testmg dielectrics at high voltages has involved the use of an ordinary voltmeter, in-

the form of the testing voltage wave, which introduce exceedingly serious errors that frequently result in a variation of the constant or crest factor by as much as 25%. It is evident, therefore, that it is inaccurate and improper to rely upon this theoretical assumption and that correct results can only be obtained by actually measuring the maximum or crest values by suitable means.

It is to obviate these difliculties and to provide an improved method of measuring very high potentials that my present invention is intended.

In accordance with my invention, I provide a plurality of series-connected condensers which I connect across the source of high potential, and I arrange a suitable spark gap in multiple circuit with one of said condensers. The capacity of the con densers which is paralleled by the spark gap is large, in comparison with the combined capac'ty ofthe remaining condensers, and I have the capacity of the large condenser be pro erly proportioned with respect to that of t e remaining condensers, a discharge across the gap causes no undue disturbance and subjects the system and apparatus to no excessive voltage strains.

e maximum or crestfound, by experiment, that if' a Instead of causing a discharge, it may to determine the careful obserof corona be advisable, in some cases, impressed voltage by making vations of the first appearance around the discharge electrodes.

In'order to .adapt my invention for commercial use, "t is necessary to provide means for readily adjusting the apparatus to a wide range of voltages, which I accomplish either by employing a fixed gap in combiportion connected by aweb 16 in such man- I nation with variable capacity condensers, or by the use of fixed capacity condensers in combination with'a variable discharge gap.

Uniform and reliable results are secured by inclosing the spark gap in a suitable casing, which may conveniently be of glass. Experiments have also determined that, for best operation, the vessel should contain a suitable medium, such as hydrochloric acid gas. The physical properties of this medium have been found to be undisturbed by a discharge between electrodes, and the results obtained with this arrangement of apparatus have checked with great accuracy.

Although, broadly considered, the various devices employed in my invention are, in themselves, old and familiar to those skilled in the art, it is believed that the particular arrangement and connections thereof constitute a combination which has never before been employed and that a greatly improved result is secured thereby.

My invention may best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in

which Figure 1 is a schematic view of the circuit connections and structure of a highpotential measuring device which is constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of a system of distributionembodying my invention.

Referring to Fig; 1, an alternating current generator 1, is adapted to supply energy to a primary windin 2 of a testing transformer 3, the secondary winding 4 of which is adapted to deliver energy to a primary winding 5 of a transformer 6. The generator 1 and the transformers 3 and 6 may be of any well known type of construction and hence no detailed description is considered necessary. 1

A high-potential measuring device 7 is connected in parallel with the winding 5 of the transformer 6 and comprises a supporting frame 8, a stationary terminal member 9, an adjustable member 10, an auxiliary terand a dis- The terminal member 9,

minal member 11, a switch 12 char e gap 13. whic is circular in form, having a downwardly convex surface, although various other types of terminal devices may be employed. The terminal member 10 is adjustably mounted in electro-static "relation to the terminal member 9 upon a supporting rod 14 which carries'an insulating receiving member 14 in which the terminal member 10 rests. 'As shown, the terminal member 10 constitutes a torus ,ring member 15 having its lower ner that a concave recess 17 is provided on its .upper surface. Although I believe this type of terminal or a slight modification "thereof to be the preferable form,-I do not into a glass is suitably suspended from the frame 8, is of conducting material and preferably wish to be restricted in this respect, as various other terminal members maybe em plo ed for the same purpose.

'I hc auxiliary terminal member 11 is substantiall disk-like in structure and is provided with rounded edges in order to eliminate any excessive concentration of the electrostat-ic field. This auxiliary terminal member is centrally located Within the recess 17 and is supported upon a stem 18 which passes through a central opening 19 in the terminal member 10 and is'adjustable in po-' sition by means of a rack and pinion connection 19 and a hand wheel 20.

The terminal member 10 and its associated auxiliary member 11 are adjustable with respect to the stationary terminal member 9 through the agency of a suitable rack and pinion connection 21 and a hand wheel 22. A suitable scale 23 is attached to the supporting rod 14 and may be calibrated experimentally for any desired range of voltages. An indicator 24 is provided to cooperate with the scale 23 in the usual manner.

Those skilled in the art will readily understand that a so-called air condenser is provided between the terminal members 9 and 10, the capactiy of which may be varied at will by varying the distance between them. Furthermore, the terminal members 10 and 11 constitute a similar air condenser, the capacity of which may also be readily adjusted in accordance known principles.

The switch 12 is of a common type of construction and its opposite poles are connected, respectivel to the terminal members 10 and'll. The switch 12 is only illustrative of a suitable device for short circuit- .ing the condenser formed between the terminal members 10 and 11.

The discharge gap 13 comprises a plurality of electrodes 25 and 26 which are sealed receptacle 2? at a fixed distance apart. In order to obtain uniformity of results, I inclose a suitable medium, such as hydrochloric acidgas within the receptacle 27, as hereinbefore pointed out.

I have found, by experiment, that, when hydrogen or nitrogen is employed with a with the same well fixed gap, the voltages which are necessary to cause a. discharge decrease with successive discharges. The opposite is true ,of air and carbon dioxid, while, with hydrochloric acid gas, the conditions are apparently constant and great reliability is attained. Although I find hydrochloric acid useful in this connection, ere are various other gases which may be employed" to accomplish the same results.

For ready use in commercial service, the

-measurin device? shouldbe experimentally calibrate for the range of voltages desired, and, althou hit is. not strictly accurate'to calibrate a evice of this character by means gas particularly; I t

of the known ratio of transformation of a given transformer, such a method is sufficiently reliable for illustrative purposes.

Assuming that it is desired to cal brate the device for a scale between 100 kilo-volts and 400 kilo volts, it is necessary to experimentally ad ust the auxiliary terminal member 11 with respect to the terminal member until the desired range of voltage readings, as determined by the known ratio of the testing transformer, may be obtained by raising and lowering the terminal member .10 with respect to its cooperating terminal member 9. -Having determined the proper position of the auxiliary terminal member a 11 for the desired range of voltage, it is fixed in position and the scale 23 'is calibrated experimentally, in the usual manner, by applications of a known'voltage andcorresponding adjustments of, the terminal member 10. i

Assuming the device to have been previously calibrated and that it is desired to applya test voltage of 250 kilo-volts, for example, to the transformer 6, the operation is as follows:

The terminal member 10 is first adjusted by means of the hand wheel 22 until the indicator 24 registers the desired voltage, as shown. The voltage of the generator .1 is

. then gradually increased until the voltage across the spark gap 13 causes a discharge, thereby indicating that the desired voltage is impressed upon the transformer 6.

AlthoughI have hereinbefore shown and described a device having a fixed spark gap and variable-capacity condensers, it is evi-- dent that successful results may be obtained through the use of fixed-capacity condensers and a variable spark gap. Such an arrangement I have shown in Fig. 2 to which referonce may now be made.

An alternating current generator 1 is adapted to supply energy to primary windings 2 of a transformer 3, the secondary winding 4: being adapted to deliver energy to a distribution system (not shown). The neutral point 2 9 of the secondary windings 4 is grounded and a measuring device 7 constructed in accordance with. my invention, is connected between a conductor 30 is possib of the distribution potential under varyingand the ground. With this arrangement, it etc measure the maximum values conditions, as will be readily understood.

, The measuring device 7 herein shown comprises two condensers 31 and 32 which are connected in series between the conductor '30 and the ground. The capacity of both condensers is fixed and that of condenser 32.

is small in comparison with that of condenser 31. The spark gap 13 is n multiple circuit withthe larger condenser and the elec- .trodes 25 and 26 are adjustably mounted in position in a well known'manner. A suitcuit connections,

ablereceptacle 27 incloses the electrodes and v is filled with a suitable medium, as hereinbefore pointed out.

This type of measuring device is experimentally calibrated in any familiar manner for the range of voltages desired and a calibrated scale (not shown) is provided to correspond to varying lengths of discharge gap.

If it is desired to measure the potential between the conductor 30 and the ground, the measuring device is connected as shown, with the electrodes 25 and 26 in their ex treme positions. The electrodes are then gradually brought together until a discharge is effected across the gap which is anindication that the voltage registered upon the scale is that which exists upon the line.

Although I have shown and described a specific arrangement of apparatus and cirthose skilled in the art will readily understand that various modifications in the size and arrangement and location of parts may be effected'without exceeding the scope of my invention, and I desire that only such limitations shall be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims. I

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination with a source of elec: trical energy and a plurality of condensers connected in series across said source, of

a spark gap device connected in parallelv relation to one of said condensers to indicate when the voltage of said source has a predetermined maximum value.

The combination with a source of high, v potential electrical energy and two rela-- tively variable condensers of widely difi'erent capacities connected in series across said. source, of a discharge gap device connected in parallel with the condenser of largercapacity for indicating when the source of in eleotro-static relation therewith, an auxil-. iary terminal member adjustably related to saidadjustable member, and a discharge gap device electrically connected to said adjustable terminal members.

5. A high=potential measuring device comprising cooperating and relatively ad- 7 member, a

. prising a in electrostatic relation containing a gas having .erties surrounding sal nected in series across said members in elctro-static relation, an auxiliary terminal member adjustably associated with one of said terminal members, and a spark gap device connected to said and to the terminal membervwith which it is associated.

1 6. A high-potential measuring device comprising a supporting frame, a terminal member suspended therefrom, a second terminal member arranged in electrostatic relation to said first terminal member and adjustably mounted in'said su porting frame, a third justable terminal terminal member ad ustably disposed in electrostatic relation to said second terminal said second and third terminal members, and means for enveloping said spark gap device in a suitable medium.

7. A high-potential measuring device complurality of series-connected con densers, one of which is variable in capacity,

, of a spark gap device connected in parallel with one of said condensers, and a vessel fixed physical propspark gap device. 8. The combination with a source of highpotential electrical energy and two condensers of widely different capacities consource, of a discharge gap device connected in parallel with the larger condenser.

, 9. The combination with a supporting frame, -a circular terminal member having a downwardly convex surface, a second circular terminal vmember havlng an upwardly concave surface, said second member being adjustably mounted in said supporting frame and in electrostatic relation to said first terminal member, and a disk-like terminal member adjustably disposed above the concave surface of said second member and thereto, of a single spark gap device connected to said second terminal member and said disk-like terminal member, and a glass vessel containing-a suitable gas surrounding said spark gap device.

10. The combination with ,a source of high-potential electric energy and two condensers of widely auxiliary terminal member spark gap device connected tov connected in series different capacities con-- nected in series across said char 0 gap device connected in parallel with the lirger of said condensers, and a vessel surrounding said device and containing a suitable gas.

11. The combination with a supportin frame, a fixed terminal and a movable terminal in electro-static relation therewith, of means for adjusting the position of said movable terminal and a coiiperating graduated scale and pointer associated with said movable terminal and said frame.

12. The combination with a supporting frame, a plurality of relatively movable terminals arranged in electro sta-tic relation, of mechanical means for adjusting the position of the movable terminal, a graduated scale associated with the movable terminal and a pointer associated with the frame.

13. A device for determining the maximum value of the voltage of an electric circuit comprising a plurality of condensers connected in series across the said circuit and means connected to one of the condensers for indicating when the circuit voltage has a predetermined maximum value.

source, of a dis- 14. A device for determining the maximum value of the voltage ofan electric circuit comprising two condensers of different capacitance connected. in series across the said circuit and means cooperating with one of the condensers for indicating when the circuit voltage has a predetermined maximum value.

15. A device for determining the maximum value of the voltage of an electric circuit comprising a plurality of condensers across the said circuit and means connected in parallel relation to one of the condensers for indicating when the circuit voltage has a predetermined maximum value.

In testimony subscribed 1911.

whereof, I have hereunto my name this 28th day of Jan.

JAMES C. ARMOR. 

